Big D & the Good News Blues: Big D's News

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The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7 - May 20, 2009

WORSHIP, True, It's More Than A Song, BUT.....We are so careful not to make “worship” defined and confined to a song, that I think we may be in danger of losing the value of the (worship) song. In Romans 12:1-2, it’s clear that our “reasonable service of worship” is the offering of our very lives, the living sacrifice, everything we do is considered an act of worship, however, let me ask a question, what are they doing in heaven at this very moment? Do we know? Answer: They are worshiping God. Question: How are they worshiping God in heaven right now? Answer: with words and in song. The only time this constant vocal worship will stop (in heaven) is for about a half an hour towards the very end of this world as we know it. (Revelation 8:1) Otherwise, this vocal worship does not ever cease before the Lord of Hosts.

Has anyone ever written a song for you? Or sung a song to you? How did that make you feel? I bet it made you feel extremely special. How do you think the Lord feels every time we sing to HIM in worship? If you think about it, the only thing we can really give (exclusively) to the Lord is our Worship Song. While we serve others, yes, we are giving and offering to the Lord, when we teach others, yes, we are offering to the Lord, in our “work” we do worship the Lord, but ultimately, that is all for others, the Bible says that all the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12 & 14) are given by the Lord for the building up of the Body of Christ, they are not directly for or to our God. HE doesn’t NEED our teaching, or preaching or mercy or money, or any other THING; what He really wants and the only thing we can give Him Personally is our heart, and I can accurately express my heart of worship through my song of worship. When I worship the Lord in song, it’s only for Him, it’s not to be confused with a gift for any other person. Absolutely, my life should line up with the words to the songs I sing as I worship Him; when that is the case, I believe the Worship Song is that much more powerful, that much more personal, that much more precious to our Lord. When I offer this kind of song, it’s not about how I sound on the outside, but how the Lord “hears” the pure and perfect notes of my heart. My “song of worship” is for the Lord God alone. It is the only thing I can offer Him that no one else can lay claim to.....it’s one of the few things mentioned in the Book of Revelation that we will be doing for all eternity. There are songs of all kinds in heaven. There will be new songs (Rev. 5:9), old songs re-mixed:) (The Song of Moses, Deut. 31:22 & Rev. 15:3), and there will even be songs that only certain people can learn (only the 144,000 can learn this song, Rev. 14:3) We will all sing in heaven, we will all be good at singing; the Lord will receive our worship in song forever...I can now, and I will forever sing of His love through my offering of the Worship “Song.” So, don’t be afraid to worship the Lord in song, it’s the one thing we can give exclusively to Him; and I’m thinking, when our heart is right and we sing to Him, that He is so blessed; maybe He just closes His eyes and receives our worship, maybe He is smiling as He sees the heart of the worshiper...maybe, just maybe, He’s feeling extremely special like He’s the only one that matters in your whole universe....He’s worthy, so worthy to receive such worship.Peace In, Big D :)PDF The Worship Song (writing)

Face "Value" - May 15, 2009

I have a friend who used to say,“I love your face,” or “I miss your face..” At first this was extremely uncomfortable for me... I totally did not understand such statements, and par for the course for human beings, what I did not understand, I did not like. Then over time, (it’s actually still cooking in my heart and mind:) this issue became more intriguing to me and just a bit more clear. I started thinking about how much I miss my friend whom I have not physically seen now for, I guess about a year. I wrote a song called, “Just Another Day” on one of those extra “missing” days. There is a line in the song that says, “And I miss your face my friend, I think I finally understand...” What I didn’t “fully” understand when I wrote that was how valuable the face really is; just how much the face identifies and represents the “presence” of a person. I’m not alone in this, there are many instances in the Bible where people were missing one another and longed to be “face to face” with each other. So I started searching for details (from the Bible) to fill in the blanks of my understanding. I found the use of the word “face” a number of times from Genesis to Revelation and almost every book in between. I found that when the word was used in the sense of, “face to face,” it really meant that someone wanted to be in the presence of another person or of God. To “miss someone’s face” would be to miss their presence. In Acts chapter 20 (vs 32-38) Paul is saying goodbye to those with whom he has been ministering. They were “especially grieving....that they would see his face no more.” In 2 John verse 12, John says, “Having many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.” Sometimes paper and ink won’t do, a picture just isn’t good enough, a phone call is not adequate, even an mp4 video won’t suffice, I guess even a web cam can’t do what a “face to face” meeting can do. It’s the “presence” of a person we are seeking and it’s the “Presence” of God that we can experience even today. Moses spoke “face to face” with God on a regular basis. (Ex. 33:11) Moses did not actually “see” the face of God, because scripture is clear that NO ONE has seen the face of God and lived, (Ex. 33:20- 23; Jn. 1:18) but Moses was in the Presence of God. God’s Presence up close and “personal.” “Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.”.... a two way conversation, being in the tangible “presence” of another. Face value, the value of “face to face” is to be in the presence of a friend, or even in the very Presence God, and to have joy and or experience the glory of the Lord personally. Jesus made that possible for us, through His death on the cross, to come into the presence of the Lord Himself, to seek His Face and to find Him; to draw near in a personal way to the Lord God Almighty. We all need to hold on to and increase those times of intimacy with the Lord, and know that a face to face encounter with our friends can and will bring us joy, but there is a day coming when we will be “face to face” with our Lord, not just in His presence, but literally “face to face” and in that moment we will know as we are fully known. (1 Cor. 13:12) That glorious day when we will be able to look right into His eyes? to touch His face, to kiss the face of God. I don’t know about you, but I sure do get excited about my face to face meeting with my God and my King! The day when the value of the “face,” indeed, “FACE VALUE” will be fully comprehended, fully realized, and experienced for eternity. Rev 22:4 they will see His face, and His name {will be} on their foreheads. Peace In, Big D:) May 18, 2009 dh Face Value

HOSANNA! - April 2, 2009

The "near miss" Blessing - March 28, 2009

The "near miss" Blessing - March 28, 2009

Ok, so I'm sitting in my house minding my own business when all of the sudden, I hear and "feel" this big thud outside. This was a really big "THUD" that shouldn't be ignored. I run out to find that the wind had blown down our basketball hoop thingy (which, incidentally weighs a ton) in the direction of my car, just missing it by about 5 inches...see the pictures of this amazing "near miss" blessing. The thing is, I usually don't park in the drive way and when I do I never do it the same...further up, further back. Another thing is I've been having Worship Team practice at my house every Sat. between 12-2 pm for the last 6 Saturdays. We decided last week to stop the Saturday practices.. (this "near miss" happened at approx. 1:45 pm.) Praise God, it wasn't my car, but double praise God it wasn't someone else's car either...:) The Basketball hoop contraption NEVER touched my car!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!

Count your blessings, name them one by one:)
Through this near miss, I was reminded that blessings can come in different packages. Sometimes the blessing isn't only the good thing that happens to us, but can also be the bad thing that didn't happen....
I wonder how many "near miss" blessings we actually have without ever knowing about them...Let’s thank God for all our blessings, not only for what we have, but also to be thankful for what we don’t have...Today, I’m thankful for the blessing of the “near miss” :)

PEACE IN, Big D

PEACE IN, Big D

A NEW SONG: "Missionary" - January 27, 2009

For those of you on the Big D email update list who are looking for the actual song with music, you can find it now on the music page. Please remember this is a rough draft of the song and there is a music video/slideshow in the making:)
If you're a missionary and would like an mp3 of this version (you don't want to wait for the music video), please email me at bigd@bigdblues.com and I will gladly email it to you...after all, it is for you :)
Thank you! Big D:)

"The FREEDOM to CHOOSE" - January 12, 2009

Goldie made a decision. She flat out decided to do something wrong. I don’t care what anyone says, the dog (Goldie) knows right from wrong. I had left the house earlier and when I came back the first time the dog looked guilty, but I was in a hurry and only had time to tell her she was the “best dog in the world” and leave again. I came back to the house much later and found that the garbage can (the same can I had poured some dry cat food in earlier that morning) had been tipped over and Goldie had dug and dug in it until she, no doubt, had found every speck of cat food and ate it.

Now, you may be wondering why I’m throwing away purrfectly:) good cat food, in short, the cats won’t eat this certain cat food. It was the cheapest food I could find at the store one day, and because they wouldn’t eat it by itself I ended up having to buy better food and mixing them both together. (I was still trying to get the cats to eat the cheap food:) You know how when you were a kid and you would pick the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms? Well, that’s what the cats are doing with the food, picking out the good cat food and leaving that bad stuff behind. I don’t fight it anymore, I just throw away what they leave, because if they aren’t eating it, there must be something wrong with it.

Anyway, the dog knows better than to get into the garbage...(there’s history on this with her, believe me:o) She knows better, but, for some odd reason this dog chose to do exactly what she knew was wrong. That got me thinking...(ru roh), aren’t we, as humans, a little like that with God? Don’t we know better than to go “garbage picking?” Don’t we know that if something is thrown away, we probably shouldn’t have it? The ONE who knows all things said “no.” Why do we do what we know we shouldn’t do? Why do we go where we know we shouldn’t go? Why? Why can’t we just trust God and follow His rules? I was thinking about the dog and my first thought was, well, she doesn’t know what she’s doing, she can’t help it. That’s just wrong because someone who doesn’t know also doesn’t look guilty when they get caught. She knew alright. She’s hiding right now as I write this. She knows.

Unfortunately, there are consequences, both to the dog and to us when we disobey a direct command. For the dog, well, I won’t elaborate, suffice it to say, eating cat food for a dog is a little like eating mexican food when you aren’t used to it:) at least that’s the way it is with Goldie:(Which means I may be up in the middle of the night tonight letting her outside..... uugh.) Her choice has now affected me! For crying out loud, why couldn’t she have done what was right and been rewarded instead of choosing what was wrong with consequences that affect others? For us, the consequences are also undesirable and, depending on the “choices” we make, can be life altering.

The next time you and I want to go garbage diving, let’s remember the power of this choice to obey God that Jesus purchased for us on the cross. We don’t have to follow our nose right into the garbage can of sin, we can choose to do the right thing, which will save us from guilt and an upset (spiritual) stomach, we won’t be dragging others into our world of consequence and most importantly, by choosing to do the right thing we will please our Master who ultimately knows what’s best for us.

In Christ we have THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE. Romans chapter 6

Big D (dh) 1.09
bigdblues.com

Big D WINS BIG in KARAOKE CONTEST!! - September 1, 2008

"It's not whether you win or lose, but whether you glorify God in the midst of it" dh

Only the LORD could've orchestrated such a night! Singing two Christian songs in a secular contest with 13 other singers, Big D was given first prize ($1000)!

Big D singing: "Feels Like Redemption" by Michael English

Big D on The Radio!! (am 1490) - August 27, 2008

Big D was on a local radio station in Bradenton on 8.26.08. Much to everyone's surprise, and thanks to many who prayed, Big D was able to preach the Gospel to all who were listening! Thanks to Mike from AM 1490 for allowing such a great platform for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Celebrate the 4th of July with a Big D Ringtone!!! - July 4, 2008

Relax, I’m Just Taking You to the Next Place - July 2, 2008

Recently, my family and I drove from Florida to the UP of Michigan. Normally a 24-26 hour drive in a car, but in a big rental truck towing the car, about 30 hours. It was not exactly pleasant, but not the worst experience ever. We also took Goldie, our miniature Golden Retriever, and incidentally, the "best dog in the world," along with us. About every 2-3 hours we would stop to get gas or take a break. At this point we would put the leash on the dog, carry her out of the truck (it was a big, high truck), set her down to go to the bathroom, give her something to drink, and put her right back in the truck where she would go under the bench seat and wait until the next stop. We did this over and over again until I started to think, maybe Goldie is resigned to the fact that this is just her life from now on....sleep under the bench, be carried down to the ground, go to the bathroom, drink some water, sometimes a little food, and so on...this is what I do, this is my lot in life; it's not a lot, but it's a life:) I wonder, if as humans, we think that too. Like, whatever is going on will always be going on; whatever I'm doing now, I will always do, nothing more, nothing less. Maybe, like Goldie, we just don't understand that God is transporting us to the next place where He will use us in a different way, in His way. We could not have gotten to Michigan to accomplish our purpose without traveling there. I've heard it said that, "Jesus is as much in the process as He is in the end product." I certainly believe that.
Well, the return trip home was not so good, especially for Goldie. Maybe this is how she rode the whole time on the way up and we didn't notice because she was under the truck bench seat, but this dog was full of anxiety. She was panting and shaking, and nothing I did brought her any relief or comfort. It was bad like this for about the first 14 hours. Her anxiety caused the whole atmosphere in the car to be charged with stress, and irritation especially for the driver; and if the driver ain't happy, ain't nobody happy:) Goldie (the best dog in the world who was not at the time) caused us all to have a bad experience most of the way home. The thing is, as human beings, we knew where we were going, and pretty much how long it would take. We knew we would be inconvenienced and uncomfortable for a time, but because we knew our destination and that it would not last forever (this was not our life), we were fine with it. If I could only explain to the dog where we were going...if only she had the same knowledge I had about those circumstances, if only she could trust me. Again, we are like that toward God.
God may very well be transporting us to the next assignment or mission and all we can do is shake, and complain, and not be comforted by Him. Maybe you think you're in a place you will never get out of, that you have been put on a shelf or out to pasture to not be useful anymore. Let me tell you that as long as you are a breathing child of the Living God you WILL be useful on this earth! He Saved You to Use You! (Eph. 2:8-9) You may simply be in transport at the moment. Maybe you find yourself around others who are whining and fearful of every sound and turn; maybe someone is ruining your trip. Try to remain calm. Pray. Remember God's Word. You will not be in transition forever, but the temporary trip may be cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in you, such as, let's say, patience?:)
The truth is, sometimes God just doesn't give us all the information or maybe He's whispering it to us, but we're so busy panting and shaking that we can't hear Him.
So, wherever you are right now, whether you're "en-route," or at a destination, remember this life is short in comparison to eternity; when things seem unbearable, remember, the trip has an end, a destination, a purpose, just trust the God who holds your life in His hands, and relax, He's just taking you to the next place....in Him.
Thanks for reading,
Big D:)

Michigan Trip - July 2, 2008

God Turned My Mistake Into A Moose - June 5, 2008

What in the world is God doing? Maybe it's not Him at all, maybe it's just me making mistakes..You be the judge.
My husband, son and I are in Northern Michigan at the moment remodeling our house up here. We came to the U.P. driving a huge Penski Truck with a trailer for our car. It was a one way trip for the truck and trailer that we would drop off in Iron Mountain, about two hours away from where we are staying. On Monday we went to Iron Mountain to drop off the truck and trailer. I drove the car back up onto the trailer (we had been using the car:) and before we left for our trip went into the house to do something. It was time to go, there was the dog, my husband and me. We were cruising along this stretch of highway of nothingness about 50 miles into our trip when my Father in law calls and says we forgot the keys to the car we were hauling. Ok, well, in my mind I thought, ok, we just turn around and get the keys and start over. Not so fast, husband is not happy about wasting the gas, the time and how do you turn a semi-truck around on a two lane highway? Needless to say, he was NOT a happy camper. The 50 mile ride back to get the keys as you can imagine was quiet to say the least....the blame game was in full swing and I felt like a complete idiot for forgetting the keys.
So, we head back up to Iron Mountain, drop off the truck and start back in the car...uneventful. We stopped in a restaurant where I got a great picture of a bear (stuffed), ate some food, and continued on our way back home. During the stretch of road where there is nothing but forest on either side of the road, we look up ahead and see that someone is pulled over. All of the sudden we were pulling over too, for what seemed to me to be a big fat deer crossing a marsh. It wasn't a deer after all, but a very rarely seen MOOSE! This is huge news around here. Moose have apparently been extinct around these parts for many years, and even though Canada dropped some off some years back, no one has ever spotted one! I got about 6 good pictures of this thing.
It didn't occur to me until later, that unless we had turned around when we did to go back and get the keys, we would not have been passing that exact spot at the exact time the moose was crossing the marsh, and what happened next wouldn't have happened either.
We went back home and told my Father in law what we saw, and that I got some picts of the moose. He suggested we call the local tv station, as they would be very interested in that story.
So I did. I emailed the picts and a short explanation of who we were, and why we were here.
The next day we watched the news, and sure enough, the story, complete with my name, Florida, the town our house is in and all the moose pictures were on the 6:00 news! That's right, the 6:00 news! I have since sent the pictures to the local newspaper as well. I'm waiting to see what they will do with them. My 10 seconds of fame right here in the great white north:) and all because I made a mistake, not a sin, mind you, a bonifide mistake that God turned into a moose!
So, don't fret when you make a mistake or even if (not as a habit) sometimes you procrastinate. It may be that God is going to do something with it, or in spite of it, or because of it in His way, in His time...Trust Him even with your mistakes, because he can turn your mistake into a moose too.

Peace in,
Big D:)

Follow Jesus, He is the answer to every single problem we could ever have.

Stuff that God has shown me in the last two weeks that I wanted to write down before I forgot...:) - May 27, 2008

"As Christians God did not promise us that we would be COMFORTABLE in this life, only that He would comfort us in it." dh

"In order to experience the "peace that passes understanding," we will have to be in a place that we do not understand; a hard place where it doesn't make sense to have peace in." dh

"You've heard it said, 'I don't know if I would be able to stand for the Lord if my life was on the line..,' If you have been saved/baptized in the Holy Spirit, you have received the Promise of the Holy Spirit and that includes the ability to BE HIS WITNESSES, both in life and in death. The word Witness in the Greek speaks of being a martyr. Jesus said we would be empowered from on high to be His witnesses, His martyrs. If you are truly saved, you don't have to worry about standing in the face of death...you just will. This power given to us is the ability to live and to die for our Lord."

"Popularity precedes persecution."
(I haven't studied this yet, it's just something rolling around in my head. If you study it and find it to be wrong, let me know, but it seems to me that Jesus was the most loved by the multitudes just one week before they crucified Him....something to think about in our Country, how Christianity seems to be so 'cool,' when indeed, Jesus said it would be a narrow road, not a wide, popular one...) dh

Here's one I got a while ago, and even misquoted myself during a teaching at a Women's conference... "Lord, help me to not be a part of someone's trial, but rather the answer to someone's prayer." dh

Big D's Birthday Bash 40 something:) - May 14, 2008

The Valley, the Race, and the End Of It All - March 10, 2008

So, you find yourself in the valley….again. A place of emptiness where your strength is not needed; your talents are not used; your gifts are at a stand still. You wonder and wait-How long this time Lord? Will I never be used again?
Please Lord, put me back in the race.
If that describes you then let’s comfort one another in this “valley” where we are together at the moment; and remember a few things about the “valley.”
The valley is a place of rest and replenishing. A place of strengthening and training.
Here we find beauty; water, flowers, green pasture and nourishment. Here in the valley, where we are so low we can only look up…we can only do what Colossians 3 says, “set your mind on the things above, and not on the things that are on earth..”
In the valley we are in training, regaining strength, and discovering new strengths for the climb (battle) to come. Ultimately, we are learning invaluable lessons that can only be learned in the quietness of the valley. (Be still and know that HE is God)
Receive its resources, its teaching, its preparation for bigger and better assignments and missions in the Kingdom of God. Don’t fight the “valley” (I hesitate to say) embrace it.
Don’t feel discouraged; you are still needed, still valuable.
Consider at least one way we can be used in the valley…
Think about those who are not in the valley right now, but in the battle, they are climbing up the mountain and it’s hard. God is calling us to pray for them. To provide prayer cover, spiritual reinforcements if you will. We are still in the RACE! We are still viable tools for the Kingdom! We can still make a difference by being a support in prayer for those engaged in the battle! Let’s not waste this opportunity wallowing in self pity (I speak for myself hereJ) Let’s help our fellow soldiers to be victorious in their calling, in their climb up the mountain. After all, we’re all in this together!
And someday we’ll be out of this valley, climbing up the mountain ourselves, needing those in the valley to support us. And when we get to the mountaintop where there’s nothing but clear vision, we’ll surely realize that even while we were in the valley, we were in the race. It was just a slower pace.
As I live, I see how the race works. It’s simply a pattern of valley, climb (battle), mountaintop; valley, climb, mountaintop…and it goes on until our physical body is dead.
The race will span our entire lifetime.
At the end of it, all we will see is Jesus face to face…(selah, take a moment to imagine this); and we will know the prize, as the prize knows us; we will meet face to face this JOY that was set before us throughout this race of a lifetime. Every valley, every battle, every mountaintop has brought you to this moment, this ultimate, eternal reward who is Jesus.
So, run the race with endurance; however fast, however slow, run the race…run to win!
Run and do not grow weary; your reward waits for you at the end of it all.
In Christ & For His Kingdom,
Denise aka Big D:)

The Great Vacuum Cleaner of Life.. - March 6, 2008

I have a dog that used to be extremely afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Whenever I would turn it on, she would get in the way of it and try to attack it...like it was chasing HER. I wish I could communicate to her that I have TOTAL CONTROL of the vacuum, and that I'm not after her at all, I'm just trying to clean up around her.

As Christians, we are like that sometimes...when the trials and circumstances of life are so loud and crazy that they seem to be after us, we get in the way, full of fear, not remembering that God has complete CONTROL of the vacuum cleaner (the trials and troubles of our lives.) And sometimes it's not even about us at all, He might just be cleaning up something nearby:)

So, the next time you feel like the great vacuum of life is AFTER YOU, just get out of the way and relax. Trust that the one in control, Our God, Who loves us, is on our side..God is in control, and HE knows what He's doing:) JAMES 1:2-3

Peace In,
Big D

PS My dog is not afraid of the vacuum cleaner anymore...she's been "delivered" by the thousands of experiences where she, in fact, survived yet another vacuuming....and that without a scratch:)

PPS Take heart, whoever you are, God is not out to "get" you, He's out to SAVE you! Trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord today. Send me a message if you want to begin a relationship with your Creator through Jesus Christ.

It's Not Who You know, but WHO knows You - February 11, 2008

Matthew chapter 7 verses 21-23 (Jesus is speaking) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'…

I don't know about you, but this portion of scripture has always made me a little uneasy.
There are certainly a lot of things we can focus on in this short passage, but I want to concentrate on verse 23 where Jesus says, 'I never knew you…..'
Notice he didn't say, you never knew me, rather 'I never knew you.'

Now, a lot of people (well, maybe not 'a lot' of people , I'm not that popular: ) may say they "know" me (Big D, personally:) because they've been to a concert or talked to me, or have been where I was at the same time, or even had a meal with me, but I wouldn't say I know THEM. We may have been introduced, maybe even believe some of the same things, they could go so far as to even promote the band or show great support for the 'cause,' but that doesn't mean I know them.

Many people would say they 'know' the President, but in reality they only know 'of' the President, they know who he is, they recognize his face when they see him, they may have even campaigned for him, but they don't actually know him. Familiarity is not the same as knowing someone. In fact, like Ray Comfort says, (loosely quoted) if you go up to the White House gate and insist that you "know" the President of the United States and would like to see him, they will probably chase you away….however, if the President of the United States says he knows YOU, then you will be ushered right in to where he is. Because he knows you, not because you say you know him.

Judging by the context of Matthew chapter 7 and the verses leading up to this portion of scripture, it seems clear to me that Jesus is teaching His disciples that knowing Him will be judged by what we do, rather than only by what we say. In verse 15 Jesus warns of "'false prophets' who come to you in sheep's clothing , but inwardly are ravenous wolves." He goes on to tell them that the disciples will know them by their fruits.
Those 'fruits' good or bad will expose the heart of a person. Jesus is telling the disciples that we can actually see the heart of a person by 'their fruits.'

It's not who you say you know, but who knows you. Remember the first verse we started with, Verse 21 " Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven…….
(but who will enter the kingdom of heaven?) but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER Who is in heaven. In John 15:14-15 we find that the will of God is that we, his 'friends', should bear fruit that remains, which I'm convinced is defined for us in Gal. 5:22-23. Please consider John 15:14-15. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and says, "14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you." Here we find out how to be known by Jesus, or how we can be His friends….He goes on in verse 15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it to you."
Here we find Jesus revealing what it's like to be a friend of His, to be known by Him. To be His friend means we hear from Him, He tells us things He would only tell His friends. We also see how this "friendship" started and how it is maintained. (Jesus chose us, we obey Him) There are two key words that stick out in my mind, know (known), and fruit. What is the 'will of the Father?' According to this passage it is to bear fruit that remains. Isn't it interesting how in the previous passage (Matthew 7) we were told that we would "know them by their fruits," and the people who were saying 'Lord, Lord' were trying to be known by their gifts ('did we not prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name cast out demons, and in Your Name perform many miracles?')

It's the heart that has a relationship with Jesus. It's the heart of a person that He KNOWS. It's the heart that He does a work in that truly shows through the deeds of the body, in obedience, the will of the Father.
The only way we can do or know the will of the Father is to have Jesus (the Holy Spirit) dwelling in us. Period.

Ask almost anyone on the streets in America if they are a Christian….most, I think, would answer yes. Ask them if they know Jesus, and their answer would probably still be yes. The fact is they don't spend time with Him, nor do they obey Him, or even give Him much thought, but still they will insist that you are judgmental, because judging from the lack of fruit in their lives we say they aren't of God, (that's funny because Jesus told us we could judge whether someone is of Him by their 'fruits.')
Let's try something new, instead of asking people if they know Jesus, let's ask this question: does Jesus know you?….if you died right now and you saw Jesus face to face would He usher you through the Gates of Pearl, right into Heaven? Would He embrace you and say, "well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master." (Matt.25:21)
Would He recognize You as being one of His?
There is an old song by Wayne Watson called "Born in Zion." I absolutely love the words in this song, it's very encouraging to me, I hope it will be to you as well. Here are some of the lyrics:

Very few are born to riches, very few;
And very few of fondest wishes ever come true;
But that won't matter much at all, on the day your name is called;
When this earthbound life is through and your Father says of you…..
This one was born in Zion, make no mistake, this one is Mine!
This one was born in Zion, this one will never, this one will never die…
Very few are ever famous, very few at all;
Very few will ever live the dream that they chose;
But that won't matter much at all, on the day your name is called;
When this earthbound life is through and your Father says of you…..
This one was born in Zion, make no mistake, this one is Mine!
This one was born in Zion, this one will never, this one will never die…

So, in the final analysis, when all is said and done, and you pass from this life to the next ….the important thing will not be who You know, but Who Knows You.
Does Jesus know YOU?

Big D:) PS Let me know if you have read this and aren't sure if Jesus knows you, I'd love to talk with you about it. Please email me at bigd@bigdblue.com

New Year's Resolutions...the Natural Way - January 2, 2008

What have you decided to start doing or stop doing, or do better in 2008?

Text: Jn. 15:4-5, Gal.5:22-23, Phil.2:13, Matt.6:33

In my years as a Christian I've come to this "new year's resolution" thing more than 20 times. Frankly, the more I try to force myself to change, by the will of my flesh, the more it seems to end in utter failure and ultimately discouragement for me. On the other hand, when I am "led" by the Holy Spirit (Who lives inside of me) to change a pattern in my life,
(and without any help from me in the changing) it seems to work out to a victory won.
Self Control (and isn't this what it's all about?) is a "fruit" of the Spirit. (Gal.5:22-23)
Fruit doesn't TRY to grow. A plant doesn't wake up one day and say, "today I will produce an orange," no, fruit bearing is simply a natural outcome of water, healthy soil, the sun, weather conditions etc. All these elements are completely out of the plant's control. Jesus said in John 15:4-5 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch CANNOT bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." (NASB) So, when it comes to New Year's Resolutions, I believe they are conceived and achieved only by "abiding" in Christ. What does it mean to "abide" in Christ? The answer to this question is the answer to every resolution, and fruit bearing experience we will ever have as Christians. To abide means to "make a permanent stay, or be at home with." In a practical sense, I'd say it's spending time with God in a real relationship. Bringing our burdens, our worship, intercession, our cares to Jesus in prayer; listening to that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit Who lives within us; immersing ourselves in His Word, applying and practicing the truths we learn from the Bible; naturally telling others about what God is doing in us, and what He wants to do in them….these things, this relationship with our Creator; these things are the water, the good soil, the sun, and food that naturally produce the "good fruit" of *love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control that the whole world is longing for and striving for. As Christians, we are not told to make the fruit, we are told to bear the fruit; to let the fruit grow on us. It is not our job to manufacture this "fruit," it's our Creator's job and pleasure to see this fruit manifest in His children.
Our only job is to cooperate with God Who is at work in us. (Phil. 2:13)
So, this New Year-2008 let's resolve to know our God better, more intimately; to seek Him diligently, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all the other things, the fruit and stuff will come…naturally…. in time…as we abide in Christ.

Peace In,
Denise aka Big D

A Brand New Song For the Troops! - September 20, 2007

Check out the Big D Music page to hear and download Big D's newest song written in the last two days!
Inspired by an email received about our troops needing encouragement in Iraq. Please read the story behind the song, copy the email address, and send our troops some notes of encouragement! Thanks!

ROCKTOBER in the Front Yard? - September 13, 2007

I'm thinking about reaching my neighborhood for Christ this Halloween by setting up a small sound system in my front yard and playing (live) some Big D & the Good News Blues....also, maybe showing a Christian movie out there as well...but wait, there's more, I'm also thinking about sending my kids and others with special tracts to give to the people who are giving out candy. It's the only holiday where people invite you to come to their houses. Instead of taking, why not give the Gospel of Jesus at their invitation...? Think about all this, and shoot me an email telling me what you think...good ideas or God ideas? Big D: bigd@bigdblues.com

Study the Book of Daniel!! - September 13, 2007

Precept Study of Daniel Part 1 is beginning on 9.19.07 @ 12 noon, at Living Word Christian Store in Sarasota, Florida! (see link on BIG D LINKS page)
Bring $20 for a workbook and an 8 week commitment to study the first 6 chapters of the Book of Daniel.
Come find out for yourself what the future holds, and who holds the future! I'll see ya there:) Big D

TESTIMONY: Do people really win? - September 13, 2007

Listen to the testimony of one such winner...he signed up on the Big D email list and the next thing he knew, he had won some very rare Big D stuff! You don't even have to be an American to win!:) (our very first winner is from Australia)
Just sign up for the Big D email list, and you will be entered to win Random Big D stuff...otherwise known as D-mail:) Believe me, you want D-mail, you do
TESTIMONY:
After looking through the Big D website, I decided to join the mailing list and sign the guestbook. I first came across Big D's music on MySpace and enjoyed the wholesome sound and the direct message of the gospel. I was also impressed a lot by the unity in the family with father, mother and son playing together in harmony and producing such heart felt tunes.

I soon received an email telling me I had been chosen to receive the Random Big D Stuff. I was excited about having some surprise goodies sent to me all the way over here in Tasmania, Australia. I figured it would be a couple of weeks wait before it arrived, coming such a long way and all. Well, was I surprised when only a few days later a parcel arrived with lots of goodies from Big D.

What a stash!

I was like a little boy again, and couldn't wait to play the CD's and listen to more of Big D & the Good News Blues. I was in for a surprise. I listened to five CD's in a row and was so uplifted by the whole experience. Not only did I receive gifts from Big D, but I found myself deeply stirred in my soul and spirit by the music I listened to and that is a gift from God in Jesus Christ the Lord. I have listened to many different things from every genre imaginable over the years and I can honestly say that I have never been so blessed by music as I have been listening to Big D's stash.
I fully recommend signing the guest book and getting on Big D's email list, because if the Random Big D Stash comes your way you'll get something of real and definite value to your life.

If you love Jesus, you'll be taken to new heights of worship and praise direct from your inner parts. If you don't know Jesus and would like soothing balm to your spirit and soul, Big D's music is a good place to begin. Yes, if you don't know the Lord before you listen to Big D's music stash, you will have a pretty clear picture of who He is, what He's done for you and what He will do for you and how, by the time you finish listening.
AND the music is good and classy , quality you can be proud to have in your collection!

Thank you Big D for the stash you sent me.
May you be equally blessed, often.

Br. Bear
Tasmania

Record or not to Record....that is the question - August 14, 2007

That's right, new music from Big D!
This will be all original music, some worship music, as well as some rough drafts of big hits to come! If you're interested in receiving some of this new stuff, and you're not concerned with Nashville quality, let me know...then again, maybe nobody wants new Big D stuff...that would make me sad, but that's ok, I'm a soldier of Christ, and I can take it! Drop me a line of encouragement if you get a chance...should I record, or shouldn't I? Peace In, Big D:)

Bible Studies at Living Word Christian Store - July 24, 2007

Hi,
At the concert I mentioned a list of days and times of Precept Classes held almost everyday at Living Word Christian Store, here are just a few starting:

Tuesday, 7.24.07, 9:30 -11:30 am

Wednesday, 7.25.07, 12noon-1:00pm

Thursday, 7.26.07, 6:30-8:30 pm

These are Precept Upon Precept Bible studies authored by Kay Arthur. Precept studies have helped me personally in growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These studies help facilitate daily study of the scriptures, verse by verse. Learn the Word of God for yourself. I have been saved for 21 years now, and I can honestly say that besides the Holy Spirit, Precept Bible Study has anchored me more than anything else. We are coming up on perilous times, we have to know the Word of God to withstand the pressures that are coming to us as Christians in the near future. Check out Precept Bible Studies at Living Word Christian Store..... Big D:)